Florida overcomes mistakes

Florida overcomes mistakes

ASHEBORO – Errors were aplenty from both South Carolina Post 1 and Florida Post 88 in the winner’s bracket matchup of the last two undefeated teams in the American Legion Southeast Regional at McCrary Park Saturday night.

In a battle of two ugly defenses that combined for eight errors, Florida put itself in control of the tournament and locked in a spot in Monday’s championship with a 9-3 win.

“When the season started we get a goal to come back to regionals and win a few games,” Florida coach Eric Owen said. “I didn’t think we would be playing for the championship.”

Jacksonville takes on Randolph County Post 45 at 7:30 p.m. today, while Florence faces off with Alabama at 4:30 p.m.

In the third, fourth and fifth innings, Jacksonville took advantage of five Florence errors to score eight runs in what proved to be the difference in the contest.

“We picked a bad night to have our worst game of the year,” Florence coach Derick Urquhart said. “It was a bad defensive effort that resulted in too many mistakes and runs.”

A big four-run inning in the fourth from Florida blew the game wide open behind one hit, two errors and a wild pitch. The next frame Jacksonville made it an eight-run game behind a two-run triple by Diyon Ellis and a Tyler Rourke RBI single.

Rourke led the offense going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

“It was a wet ball out there today and it made it tough for the infielders to get it to first,” Owen said. “Fortunately we were able to take advantage and score.”

Florida once again rode the arm of their starter and used it to save its bullpen for the rest of the tournament as well as secure the win. Adam Rieder pitched seven innings and allowed three runs on six hits for Florida. Entering the sixth, Rieder surrendered just two hits.

“It was a gutty performance out there by our starter,” Owen said of Rieder. “He helped us keep our lead and relax a little out there.

“This leaves us with two fully rested starters for the rest of the tournament and we can throw our game one starter if need be on Monday.”

After going ahead 8-0, an error and a balk from Post 88 gave South Carolina some life as it scored two runs after a Garrett Bevill RBI single and scored on a throwing error to make it 8-2 after the top of the sixth.

“Our offense this tournament has been completely opposite of how it was during state tournament,” Urquhart said. “We have been playing from behind and we could have easily lost our first two games, but we have to keep it in perspective with our whole season and this tournament.”

Post 1 now faces Alabama who dismantled Virginia 11-0 in eight innings earlier in the day.

“It’s survival mode now,” Urquhart said. “It’s going to take everything we got from here on out and we have to focus on surviving.”